--- title: "How to Take Your Comedy Show to Nearby Towns | D.O.C." description: "A roadmap to taking your comedy show to nearby towns: local partners, the trip" url: https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-comedy-show-nearby-towns.html updated: 2026-11-10 --- The Career Atlas · Your own shows · stop 4 of 5 # Try the towns nearby: your roadmap Start the playbook → Your proof The short answer A show that works at home is the start of one that works in the next town, but that town’s audience starts from zero. Pick towns inside a drive you can sustain, find a local producer or comic who knows the room, count the trip’s costs before you say yes, and keep a scorecard for each town. - **16** steps, each with its “done when” - **3** buyers, in their own words - **9** places to send it - **3** notes ready to send By D.O.C. Editorial · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) ## This roadmap, in five parts Your roadmap ## From here to run your own ticketed tour Where you are, the tests for the next stop, and the steps between, in the order most comics take them. The steps are the Career Field Manual's; mark each one as you go, and the day goes in your passport. You’re here if… ### Independent touring act - Your show pays for itself at home, and you’ve settled it more than once. - People who don’t know you have bought tickets, not only friends. - You have a recent tape and a true list of the rooms and shows you’ve worked. - You’re looking at towns within a drive, and wondering who runs comedy there. You’re ready to move on when… ### …to [run your own ticketed tour](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-run-your-own-comedy-tour.html) These are the tests for the next stop, from its buyers’ own published rules where one exists. Tick each one when it’s true for you. You have a full-length set on tape: Lexy’s Comedy Club asks headliners for a 45–60 minute performance clip, and says 5–20 minute sets aren’t enough for headlining. [Lexy’s Comedy Club ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) You can space your dates in a town: Q.E.D. Astoria asks its producers not to produce or regularly host other shows in Astoria within two months before or after their Q.E.D. show. [Q.E.D. Astoria ↗](https://qedastoria.com/pages/producing) You can name the dates you’ll be in each town: Henceforth Comedy asks for your available dates in Cleveland. [Henceforth Comedy ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) At least two towns beyond home have asked you back, and you know what each left you. 0 of 4 true ### The playbook 16 steps in 5 parts, from the Career Field Manual. Each has its “done when”, a D.O.C. tool for it, and your status, note and target date; star up to twelve for your 90-day plan. #### Pick the towns From the Career Field Manual: Route the road, not the poster. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233 and 314–347. 1. Route the road, not the poster · road-01 #### Select three realistic nearby markets to test Towns you can reach and come home from on show night, or with one night’s stay, where a room or a producer already runs comedy. **Done when** Verified opportunities and reasons for each city. [Rooms by state, in the Club Directory →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-clubs.html) Producers in other towns, on this page → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 2. Route the road, not the poster · road-02 #### Calculate miles, driving time, fuel and lodging **Done when** Complete legs including home and return. [The run: drives and what each stop clears →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-tour-planner.html#run) [What touring costs →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-tour-costs.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Find a partner there From the Career Field Manual: Choose help when it solves a problem and Find and pitch the right rooms. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 290–313 and 143–196. 3. Choose help when it solves a problem · team-01 #### Identify the people who already influence your bookings In a new town the partner is often a local producer or comic who already runs a show: they know the room, the night and the crowd. **Done when** A map of buyer, host, producer and promoter roles. [Who does what, in Your Team →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#roles) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 4. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-03 #### Verify the current submission route for three target rooms **Done when** A dated first-party booking requirement record. Where to send it, on this page → [Promoters and bookers, state by state →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-agents.html#find) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 5. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-04 #### Tailor your clip and message to each buyer Tell a producer what you bring: your show, the crowd it draws at home, a recent clip and the dates you can be in their town. **Done when** Three concise, different pitches. The pitch to a producer → [What goes on a demo reel →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 6. Find and pitch the right rooms · bookings-05 #### Create a submission tracker with dates and outcomes **Done when** A list showing sent, replied, follow-up, declined. [Your booking desk →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#desk) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Make the trip pay From the Career Field Manual: Route the road, not the poster, Get paid. Keep records. and Produce your own night. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233, 314–347, 234–289 and 258–289. 7. Route the road, not the poster · road-03 #### Route anchor bookings before speculative support dates **Done when** A route with confirmed dates distinguished. [One-nighters or runs →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-plan-comedy-tour-dates.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 8. Route the road, not the poster · road-05 #### Compare solo routing to sharing a run with other comics Share the car and the bill with a comic you trust, the split agreed before the first mile. **Done when** A documented split and responsibilities. [Buddy Up: the money →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/buddy.html#money) [Sharing costs on the road →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-split-tour-expenses.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 9. Get paid. Keep records. · money-09 #### Set a minimum acceptable net for travel gigs Set the least a trip must leave you after miles, a room and meals, and turn down dates below it unless you’ve written down why. **Done when** A written threshold with explicit exceptions. [The Math of a Gig →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 10. Produce your own night · produce-04 #### Get the venue and performer terms in writing **Done when** Who sells, refunds, markets and settles. Questions for a partner → [Get the deal in writing →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### On the road From the Career Field Manual: Route the road, not the poster. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 197–233 and 314–347. 11. Route the road, not the poster · road-04 #### Decide when a driving or flying day becomes unsafe **Done when** Rest plan and latest safe departure time. [How far to drive between gigs →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-driving-between-gigs.html) [The drive home →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/road.html#night) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 12. Route the road, not the poster · road-06 #### Prepare a road kit, breakdown plan and emergency contacts **Done when** Items verified before departure. [The kit →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/road.html#kit) [Broke down →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/road.html#down) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 13. Route the road, not the poster · road-07 #### Check the room’s technical needs and advance contacts **Done when** Show advance and load-in instructions. [Advance the show →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedian-rider.html) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date #### Count each town From the Career Field Manual: Turn one good night into a return and Route the road, not the poster. In [the D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html): topics 348–366, 383–399, 435–455, 197–233 and 314–347. 14. Turn one good night into a return · audience-06 #### Ask a venue how many people came and who handled presales **Done when** Actual sales or attendee data, where shared. The note after the show → **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 15. Route the road, not the poster · road-08 #### Record actual net by show and by full run **Done when** Post-tour reconciliation, not ticket gross. [The run’s totals →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-tour-planner.html#run) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date 16. Route the road, not the poster · road-09 #### Build a city scorecard for return decisions One line per town, the night of: the paid count, what it left you, who signed up, and whether to go back. **Done when** Actual draw, attendance and net by town. [The city scorecard →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-tour-planner.html#after) **Your note and target date** Your note: what you did, a link, what's next Target date ### What speeds this up - **Trade shows with producers** Host a producer from the next town, and they may host you. [Networking, done well →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-networking.html) - **Share the car** Two comics, one car and one show: the costs split, and the show has a lineup. [Buddy Up: the money →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/buddy.html#money) - **Start inside a day’s drive** A town you can reach and come home from keeps the costs down. [How far to drive →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-driving-between-gigs.html) - **Bring your tape and your numbers** A producer can say yes faster with a clip and a record of your crowds. [A demo reel →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-demo-reel.html) - **Reach that town’s people** A local paper, a local partner, and the people on your list who live there. [City by city →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-grow-ticket-sales.html) - **Fill the nights between** A second show on the way can make a trip pay better. [Filling off-nights →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-fill-off-nights-on-tour.html) Each week ## Your weekly rhythm here Habits, not a timetable: the atlas has no stopwatch. Keep these going, and the proof for this stop builds up week by week. - **Research one town** Find who runs comedy there: a room, a producer, a show night. - **Send one, follow up one** One pitch the way a producer asks, and one follow-up on that producer’s own timetable. - **Price one trip** Miles, fuel, a room and meals, before the date is confirmed. - **Play one show elsewhere** Do a set on a show in another town when you can, and see how its crowd differs. - **Host a visitor** Give a comic from another town a spot on your show; trades open doors both ways. - **Score the last town** The paid count, what it left you, who signed up, and whether to go back. What buyers check ## In their own words Each buyer's published rule, quoted from its own page, checked on 10 November 2026. They differ, so send each one what its page asks for, and read the page again before you send. A producer’s published submission rules ### Henceforth Comedy A Cleveland producer’s rules for a comic who wants a set: a recent five-minute video, credits that aren’t open mics or contests, a short bio and your dates in Cleveland. - A high-quality video of a recent five-minute set - open mics and contests do not count - Your available dates in Cleveland [Henceforth Comedy’s page ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) · checked 10 November 2026 A producer’s published submission rules ### Comic Cure Shows in several regions; the trip’s costs are the comic’s. - No, all travel, lodging and food is the sole responsibility of the performer. - Please make sure your audio and video quality are good before submitting. [Comic Cure’s page ↗](https://comiccure.com/comic-signup) · checked 10 November 2026 A club’s published booking rules ### Lexy’s Comedy Club A club in Eugene takes shows produced elsewhere when the show has a record: previous shows, promo reels and the numbers. - Do you have an established comedy production you'd like to bring to Lexy's? - Links to previous shows - Promo reel(s) from the actual production [Lexy’s Comedy Club’s page ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) · checked 10 November 2026 ### Where to send it Places that publish how a comic from out of town gets in, each checked on 10 November 2026. Save one to your booking desk to keep its status, a follow-up date and a note. [62 places in all, on the Career Atlas →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#ways) Published route Cleveland, OH · Independent show · Email #### Henceforth Comedy A high-quality video of a recent five-minute set and your credits: festivals, clubs, television and other professional bookings. **Worth knowing.** It can’t answer every submission; send again after 90 days with a new video. [Its page ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Denver, CO · Independent show · Email #### Rotating Tap Comedy Shows at craft breweries across the Denver metro area, with comics from across the country: email your name, a submission tape and the dates you’re looking to be booked. [Its page ↗](https://www.rotatingtapcomedy.com/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Eugene, OR · Produce a show · Email #### Lexy’s Comedy Club, produce your own show For producers with a proven show concept, an established audience and a track record: a show description, promotional images, a promo reel from the actual show, links to past shows, attendance and ticket sales averages or reports, your website or EPK, and the dates you want. **Worth knowing.** It is building a permanent home in Eugene; for now its shows are pop-ups. [Its page ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Florida, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas · Show / roster · Form #### Comic Cure An online form to be considered for its shows in several regions, and a way to update your video link later. **Worth knowing.** Dates for particular events on the page may be past ones. [Its page ↗](https://comiccure.com/comic-signup) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Houston, TX · Independent show · Form #### Punchlines on the Patio, Houston Its contact form has a choice for “comedian looking for stage time”. **Worth knowing.** It has many requests for a few spots a show. [Its page ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/contact) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Corpus Christi, TX · Independent show · Form #### Punchlines on the Patio, Corpus Christi Its booking form has a choice for “comedian looking for stage time”. [Its page ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/booking-1) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Houston, TX · Independent show · Form #### Comedy Space Apply to work with it: one to three video clips (YouTube or Vimeo) and your experience. [Its page ↗](https://comedyspace.com/contact/) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route Dayton, OH · Independent show · Form #### Gem City Comedy A form for comics in the Dayton and greater Miami Valley scene: tell it about you and add a clip of your work, to be kept in mind for future shows. [Its page ↗](https://form.jotform.com/253267957677073) Checked 10 November 2026 Published route New York, NY · Independent show · Form #### Tight Pants Comedy Producers of a showcase at St. Marks Comedy Club; the site’s “Comics: Submit Tape” link is the way in. [Its page ↗](https://tightpantscomedy.com/) Checked 10 November 2026 The money here ### Count the trip before you go None of the producers on this page publishes what it pays a visiting comic, and Comic Cure’s FAQ says travel, lodging and food are the performer’s own. Ask, get the answer in writing, and count the trip before you say yes. **In writing, before you travel** - The room, the date, the time and your set length - The deal: a fee, a split or a spot, and on which money - Who sells the tickets, and who promotes, from when - Whether there’s a room for the night, or the drive home is yours - When and how you’re paid - What happens if the show is cancelled Questions for a partner in another town · [Road Maps: the Math of a Gig, with your own numbers](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/comedy-road-maps.html#math-of-a-gig) · [Get Paid, Get Back: the deal in writing](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/get-paid.html#deal) · [The IRS on gig work ↗](https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/manage-taxes-for-your-gig-work) Ready to copy ## The notes to send Fill in what you know once: it fills every note below and stays on this device. Anything left blank shows in [brackets], to fill in by hand. Your details Your name Your home town Your show’s name The town you’re visiting The producer’s name The dates you can be there One line on your show’s crowd Your clip’s link Your credits, as they are Their venue One line on how the night went ### The pitch to a producer in another town ``` Subject: [Your show's name] in [The town you're visiting]: [The dates you can be there] Hi [The producer's name], I'm [Your name], a stand-up from [Your home town], where I produce [Your show's name]. [One line on your show's crowd] I'd love to bring a show to [The town you're visiting], or do a set on yours, on [The dates you can be there]. I'll promote it to my own list and share the poster and clips. A recent set: [Your clip's link] My credits, as they are: [Your credits, as they are] Would either work for you? Thank you, [Your name] ``` ### Questions for a partner in another town ``` 1. Which room, which night, and how many seats? 2. Who sells the tickets, and at what price? 3. How is the money shared, and on which money? 4. Who promotes, and from when? 5. Who's the audience, and what's the content rule? 6. Who hosts, and how long is each set? 7. Is there a room for the night, or is the drive home mine? 8. When and how do we settle? ``` ### The note after the show ``` Subject: Thank you, [The town you're visiting] Hi [The producer's name], Thank you for having me at [Their venue]. [One line on how the night went] If the night worked for you too, I'd like to come back [The dates you can be there]. And if you'd ever like a spot on [Your show's name] in [Your home town], I'd love to have you. Best, [Your name] ``` Your proof ## Proof for your passport Tick each piece when you have it: the day goes in your passport with it. The passport keeps your whole career's record on this device, to download, print and review once a year. The evidence ### This stop is done when you have A show played in a town beyond home, with its settlement A partner in another town who’d work with you again The trip’s real cost, counted, beside what the show paid New names on your list from that town A scorecard line for each town you’ve played Your status ### Try the towns nearby A link to your proof: a tape, a booking, a review Your private note **On your record** Nothing yet: your status changes and ticks appear here, each with its day. [Your whole passport: the timeline, your booking desk, your 90-day plan, the printable career record, the yearly review and the cloud copy →](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html#passport) Saved in this browser ## Next stops [Your own shows · Set the route **Run your own ticketed tour** Build a route because the demand is there, not because the map has gaps.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-run-your-own-comedy-tour.html) [Club circuit · Rebook **A regular in the region’s clubs** Repeat bookings in more than one town make this a business.](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/career-atlas-regional-club-circuit.html) ## Go deeper - [How do comedians grow ticket sales city by city?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-grow-ticket-sales.html) The explainer, from the D.O.C. book - [Chapter 21, Building a Career](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) Building markets, and returning to the same cities, in D.O.C.’s companion book, Stand-Up Comedy: From Writing to Touring - [How much does it cost to tour as a comedian?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-comedy-tour-costs.html) Mileage, hotels, food, parking and tolls ## Sources The buyers' rules are quoted from each buyer's own page, checked on 10 November 2026. A buyer can change its rules at any time, so read its page before you send anything. - [Henceforth Comedy, booking questions ↗](https://henceforthcomedy.com/) A producer’s published submission rules. - [Comic Cure, comic signup ↗](https://comiccure.com/comic-signup) A producer’s published submission rules. - [Lexy’s Comedy Club, booking and opportunities ↗](https://www.lexyscomedyclub.com/booking) A club’s published booking rules. - [Q.E.D. Astoria, producing a show ↗](https://qedastoria.com/pages/producing) A venue’s published producer terms. - [Rotating Tap Comedy ↗](https://www.rotatingtapcomedy.com/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Punchlines on the Patio, Houston ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/contact) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Punchlines on the Patio, Corpus Christi ↗](https://www.punchlinesonthepatio.com/booking-1) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Comedy Space ↗](https://comedyspace.com/contact/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Gem City Comedy ↗](https://form.jotform.com/253267957677073) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [Tight Pants Comedy ↗](https://tightpantscomedy.com/) Its published route, checked 10 November 2026. - [The D.O.C. book](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-book.html) The playbook's book topics, matched to the book's contents on 10 November 2026. ## About this roadmap **By D.O.C. Editorial.** This is one stop of [the Stand-Up Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html): your own shows, stop 4 of 5. It's a way to plan, not a promise of bookings: it gives no expected years, its only figures are the ones buyers and venues publish on their own pages, and the buyers' rules are theirs. For how ticket sales grow city by city, read [How do comedians grow ticket sales city by city?](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/answer-grow-ticket-sales.html). Updated 10 November 2026 · [The Career Atlas](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/stand-up-comedy-career-atlas.html) · [Comic's Corner](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/tools-for-comedians.html) · [Privacy](https://disciplesofcomedy.com/privacy.html)